LONGTIME LOCAL SHARES HISTORY AND FAVORITE LAKE COUNTY SECRETS.
Cache Creek Vineyards and Winery: Though Garner doesn’t like playing favorites when it comes to winemakers — “All Lake County wineries are friendly” — she appreciates the “beautiful setting with lovely people running it,” as well as Cache Creek’s outdoor concert series (set to start on June 2). “It’s relaxed but elegant. You feel like you’ve gone someplace where you’d like to dress up and have an outing,” she says. “But that you feel like you’re invited into someone’s home.” 250 New Long Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks; (707) 998-1200; www.cachecreekvineyards.com. Tasting room: 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Park Place Restaurant: This Lakeport bistro is one of Garner’s favorites (and she swears by the Mediterranean salad). “They have wonderful food with a good wine selection and a beautiful view of Clearlake and Library Park. They have been around for many years and while it is not a large place, the food is well worth the drive.” 50 Third St. Lakeport; (707) 263-0444; www.parkplacelakeport.com. Open daily; check online for hours.
Ring around the lake: Garner says visitors with the time should drive the perimeter of Clear Lake. “There’s hundreds of miles of shoreline and you can circle the entire lake.” The lake, said to be the oldest in North America, spreads through a range of geology and geography, offering road-trippers a variety of landscape and local culture. Though Highway 20 follows the shore for most of the northeast side of Clear Lake, following the shore the rest of the way requires following the old highways and back roads, says Garner. She recommends calling the visitor center for a specific route. Lake County visitors information; (800) 525-3743; www.lakecounty.com.
Rodman Slough: In the northwest corner of Clear Lake is an inlet that Garner loves to kayak through. “It’s an absolutely fabulous place to go kayaking and boating. It’s the Louisiana bayou, without the alligators, with huge oak trees and Spanish moss.” She says there are plenty of little fingers to follow, especially when the water is high. Kayakers with plenty of time can take the 7.9-mile round trip from the mouth of the slough at Clear Lake all the way to Tule Lake. Download a PDF guide and map (as well as check for updates) at www.konoctitrails.com/trails/water/wt7-rodmanslough.
Small-town downtowns: Garner is a fan of most of Lake County, but especially prefers the historic charm, restaurants and tasting rooms in both Kelseyville and Upper Lake. They “have historic charm, good restaurants and wine tasting,” she said. Go to Visit Kelseyville (www.visitkelseyville.com) or the Lake County visitor site (www.lakecounty.com).